That is a delightful coop. I bet your girls (and roo's ) are bliss-ed out. We call our coop "Winchester House" like the one in CA. Our hammers NEVER stop.
The neverending coop project. *Update - IT'S DONE!!!!!!*
- Thread starter Happy Chooks
- Start date
thebirdguy
Songster
Quote:
I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..
I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..
- Thread starter
- #203
Quote:
I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..
Okay, here's our theory..............A hawk CAN come straight down to grab prey. But they CANNOT go straight up, they need lift, like an airplane. (especially with prey) So our theory was if they cannot get out, they will not come in. (no animal wants to trap itself) So we blocked the flight path, so there's no where for the hawk to get lift. We did this in our orchard after we lost a hen to a hawk. It has worked beautifully for a year and a half since then.
Here's a picture when we put it in our orchard, where the 1st coop is. All the reflective tape has come down now, it doesn't hold up well to the weather. ETA: I saw the hawk fly down over the coop down the bare area (before we did this) where these posts are now.
I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..
Okay, here's our theory..............A hawk CAN come straight down to grab prey. But they CANNOT go straight up, they need lift, like an airplane. (especially with prey) So our theory was if they cannot get out, they will not come in. (no animal wants to trap itself) So we blocked the flight path, so there's no where for the hawk to get lift. We did this in our orchard after we lost a hen to a hawk. It has worked beautifully for a year and a half since then.
Here's a picture when we put it in our orchard, where the 1st coop is. All the reflective tape has come down now, it doesn't hold up well to the weather. ETA: I saw the hawk fly down over the coop down the bare area (before we did this) where these posts are now.
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- Thread starter
- #204
Quote:
Look at Foys pigeon supplies. Inside mount with the light sensor. (no timer) It's better than sliced bread!
Look at Foys pigeon supplies. Inside mount with the light sensor. (no timer) It's better than sliced bread!
Quote:
Look at Foys pigeon supplies. Inside mount with the light sensor. (no timer) It's better than sliced bread!
Because my coop is slightly shaded I have 2 of the door openers without a light sensor and just use the timer. Best product I ever bought
Look at Foys pigeon supplies. Inside mount with the light sensor. (no timer) It's better than sliced bread!
Because my coop is slightly shaded I have 2 of the door openers without a light sensor and just use the timer. Best product I ever bought
Quote:
I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..
Okay, here's our theory..............A hawk CAN come straight down to grab prey. But they CANNOT go straight up, they need lift, like an airplane. (especially with prey) So our theory was if they cannot get out, they will not come in. (no animal wants to trap itself) So we blocked the flight path, so there's no where for the hawk to get lift. We did this in our orchard after we lost a hen to a hawk. It has worked beautifully for a year and a half since then.
Here's a picture when we put it in our orchard, where the 1st coop is. All the reflective tape has come down now, it doesn't hold up well to the weather. ETA: I saw the hawk fly down over the coop down the bare area (before we did this) where these posts are now.
http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz145/new2chooks/IMG_1360.jpg
I have friends that came home and found a hawk in their run, six pullets dead. The run was covered with shade cloth and there was a 6 inch tear in the corner that they had been meaning to fix. Yes, the hawk was trapped, but didn't seem to mind since it had plenty to snack on. Their run is also under a thick cover of oak trees. They had a hard time chasing the hawk OUT of the run!!
The flaw I see in your theory is that a hawk can easily come down, feast, and then leave. It's easier for him to catch sitting prey so worth it for him. If he doesn't get his fill he can just come back.
It's funny. My neighbor has a bunch of chickens, mostly bantams, and she's never lost a single bird in 15 yrs. of having them free range every day. We live in coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, hawk, owl, etc...territory. It amazes me.
There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.
You have a lovely set up. The orchard makes for a beautiful setting and lots of tree coverage.
BEAUTIFUL!
I'm betting that the hawks don't want to dive bomb into the collection of upright posts... they prefer meadows and open spaces so that they can adjust as their prey tries to escape..
Okay, here's our theory..............A hawk CAN come straight down to grab prey. But they CANNOT go straight up, they need lift, like an airplane. (especially with prey) So our theory was if they cannot get out, they will not come in. (no animal wants to trap itself) So we blocked the flight path, so there's no where for the hawk to get lift. We did this in our orchard after we lost a hen to a hawk. It has worked beautifully for a year and a half since then.
Here's a picture when we put it in our orchard, where the 1st coop is. All the reflective tape has come down now, it doesn't hold up well to the weather. ETA: I saw the hawk fly down over the coop down the bare area (before we did this) where these posts are now.
http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz145/new2chooks/IMG_1360.jpg
I have friends that came home and found a hawk in their run, six pullets dead. The run was covered with shade cloth and there was a 6 inch tear in the corner that they had been meaning to fix. Yes, the hawk was trapped, but didn't seem to mind since it had plenty to snack on. Their run is also under a thick cover of oak trees. They had a hard time chasing the hawk OUT of the run!!
The flaw I see in your theory is that a hawk can easily come down, feast, and then leave. It's easier for him to catch sitting prey so worth it for him. If he doesn't get his fill he can just come back.
It's funny. My neighbor has a bunch of chickens, mostly bantams, and she's never lost a single bird in 15 yrs. of having them free range every day. We live in coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, hawk, owl, etc...territory. It amazes me.
There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.
You have a lovely set up. The orchard makes for a beautiful setting and lots of tree coverage.
Birds of prey tend to attack from an angle not straight down or they'd crash into the ground. They can't keep up the necessary speed to strike with or the prey would escape, or they'd keep up their speed and injure or kill themselves with the strike which is counter productive to getting a meal. I doubt they would risk clipping or running smack into one of the T posts. I think its a great idea.
- Thread starter
- #208
Sure, you can't protect against every "possible" scenario. But maybe, just maybe that hawk was hungry enough to risk just about anything, survival is a strong instinct.
I don't raise bantams because they easy hawk pickings. No hawk is going to stay on the ground around here, I have a high prey drive German Shepherd dog that will chase ANYTHING that is not supposed to be on this property. Just yesterday I heard her barking at the door, I went and looked to find she spotted a cat laying by the fence to my orchard. (we don't have any cats) I let her out, and she ran that cat off as fast as she could. (and she's fast, can keep up with hubby on his dirtbike in 3rd gear) No squirrel stays on the ground here either, she doesn't like those squirrels. She's a good girl looking after my chickens though.
We choose to have really large runs. My orchard is 50 by about 80 feet, and the new run is 20X50. So we do what we can to minimize the risks of losing one, but we choose to have larger space for our hens happiness. (and the roosters are always on the lookout) Just like people who free range exclusively choose their level of risk, we've chosen our level of risk. I have chosen to NOT free range because we do have a high number of predators in our area: coyotes, mountain lions, bears, hawks, owls (a pair that nest on our property), raccoons, opossum, etc. I let them out when I'm able to keep an eye on them. (and my dog loves to join me, she loves having a "job" to do)
It may not be right for everyone, but it works for us.
I don't raise bantams because they easy hawk pickings. No hawk is going to stay on the ground around here, I have a high prey drive German Shepherd dog that will chase ANYTHING that is not supposed to be on this property. Just yesterday I heard her barking at the door, I went and looked to find she spotted a cat laying by the fence to my orchard. (we don't have any cats) I let her out, and she ran that cat off as fast as she could. (and she's fast, can keep up with hubby on his dirtbike in 3rd gear) No squirrel stays on the ground here either, she doesn't like those squirrels. She's a good girl looking after my chickens though.
We choose to have really large runs. My orchard is 50 by about 80 feet, and the new run is 20X50. So we do what we can to minimize the risks of losing one, but we choose to have larger space for our hens happiness. (and the roosters are always on the lookout) Just like people who free range exclusively choose their level of risk, we've chosen our level of risk. I have chosen to NOT free range because we do have a high number of predators in our area: coyotes, mountain lions, bears, hawks, owls (a pair that nest on our property), raccoons, opossum, etc. I let them out when I'm able to keep an eye on them. (and my dog loves to join me, she loves having a "job" to do)
It may not be right for everyone, but it works for us.
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That's interesting. I only free range when I'm out there but it's getting to be a pain babysitting chickens. I plan on putting in some fruit trees in the spring. Maybe I'll give this technique a go. I have four dogs but none that I would trust to guard chickens. That would be ideal. I suspect that we don't get the predator activity because of the dogs, but hawks and owls are a different story. They always seem to show up seconds after letting the girls out too. I love the crows for chasing them off.
That's interesting. I only free range when I'm out there but it's getting to be a pain babysitting chickens. I plan on putting in some fruit trees in the spring. Maybe I'll give this technique a go. I have four dogs but none that I would trust to guard chickens. That would be ideal. I suspect that we don't get the predator activity because of the dogs, but hawks and owls are a different story. They always seem to show up seconds after letting the girls out too. I love the crows for chasing them off.
That is a really great idea Happy Chooks! I'll pass it on to some people I know who might need it.
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